Van Pelt Watkins ran in the [[State legislative elections, 2012|2012 election]] for [[Illinois State Senate elections, 2012|Illinois State Senate]] District 5. Watkins defeated incumbent [[Annazette Collins]] in the Democratic primary on March 20, 2012.<ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionInformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GP&ElectionID=32&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=5794&QueryType=Office& ''Illinois State Board of Elections'', "Ballots Cast GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/20/2012 5TH SENATE," retrieved May 15, 2012.</ref> She was unopposed in the general election on November 6, 2012. <ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/InfoForCandidates.aspx ''Illinois State Board of Elections'' "Candidate List," December 5, 2011]</ref><ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionInformation/VoteTotals/2012GPOfficialVote.pdf ''Illinois State Board of Elections,'' "Official 2012 Primary Results"]</ref>

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Van Pelt Watkins won election in the [[State legislative elections, 2012|2012 election]] for [[Illinois State Senate elections, 2012|Illinois State Senate]] District 5. Watkins defeated incumbent [[Annazette Collins]] in the Democratic primary on March 20, 2012<ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionInformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GP&ElectionID=32&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=5794&QueryType=Office& ''Illinois State Board of Elections'', "Ballots Cast GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/20/2012 5TH SENATE," retrieved May 15, 2012.</ref> and was unopposed in the general election on November 6, 2012. <ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/InfoForCandidates.aspx ''Illinois State Board of Elections'' "Candidate List," December 5, 2011]</ref><ref>[http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionInformation/VoteTotals/2012GPOfficialVote.pdf ''Illinois State Board of Elections,'' "Official 2012 Primary Results"]</ref>

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Watkins earned an Associate Degree in Natural Science from Truman College, Bachelors Degree in Public Administration from Roosevelt University, Masters Degree in Human Services Administration from the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, and a CPA
Doctorate in Management of Non-Profit Agencies from Capella University.[1]